Eight Months

Jan 12, 2009

Hi all!! I've been busy busy busy with school and work and adjusting to life in London - all of which has gone pretty smoothly so I can't complain. In terms of diet and weight loss I'm realizing that as time passes things get easier in some ways and harder in others. First off the easier part. Living with weight loss surgery portions and food restrictions has sort of become a normal part of my life that I'm not really consumed by anymore. I don't have dreams about food or constantly think about what I can eat next and I do definitely feel MUCH more in control when it comes to food than I did before surgery (which I guess is the point, right??). As for what's become more difficult...the hunger does return to some extent as do the cravings for things you shouldn't eat. Granted it is much easier to resist temptation with this tool but it is still there and is still just as difficult to say no to those old friends that keep wanting to regain a place in my life. For the most part I've been very successful at using my tool to the best of my ability and exercising but I'm not perfect. There have certainly been days (and maybe even a week or two) when I just couldn't be bothered with the gym and a time or two when a hershey kiss may have grazed my lips but overall I am very happy to say that for all intents and purposes I consider myself a WLS success story. Since my sugery on April 28, 2008 I have lost 111 pounds and I have lost a total of 121 pounds overall. Things are definitely moving at lot slowly as I approach 9 months out of surgery but they are moving nonetheless so I try not to discourage myself with thoughts of failure that can creep in uninvitied every now and then. One thing that has changed for the better since surgery is my attitude towards weight loss/maintenance. I used to think that if I messed up and ate something bad at one meal that was my ticket to do the same for the rest of the day/week/month/year etc. Now I realize that this is just a way of life and eating a treat or a no-no item might happen (although this is not an excuse to induldge every day) but that when it does I have to remember that the next meal is my opportunity to again return to making healthy choices and I'm right back on the wagon with little or no guilt. I've realized that this is the way people with healthy attitudes toward food approach it and I think it works for me. I've read a lot of things about post-ops reverting to old habits or developing new ones such as drinking, smoking, etc. and I trying to stay weary of that as I continue my journey. If I can give one piece of advice to newbies or post-ops it's follow the advice of your surgeon and take your supplements from day one. Utilize your support network to the fullest and be kind to yourself. This journey is not easy, not a quick fix, and all of the old "demons" that cause you to overeat in the first place will still be there when you lose the weight so be ready to work on yourself from the inside out. Best of luck and talk to you very soon!! 

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